Matt Fariss
Charles Matthew Fariss (born May 11, 1968) is an American politician. A Republican, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011. He currently represents the 59th district, made up of Appomattox County and Buckingham counties, and parts of Albemarle, Campbell, and Nelson counties between Charlottesville and Lynchburg.[1][2]
Matt Fariss | |
---|---|
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 59th district | |
Assumed office January 11, 2012 | |
Preceded by | Watkins Abbitt, Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Charles Matthew Fariss May 11, 1968 Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Crystal Dawn Brown |
Children | Hunter, Bobby, Harrison |
Residence | Rustburg, Virginia |
Occupation | Farmer, businessperson |
Committees | Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Militia, Police and Public Safety |
Website | www.mattfariss.com |
Early life, education, business career
Fariss grew up on a farm. After graduating from Rustburg High School, he went into farming himself, and expanded into other related businesses, including co-ownership of the Lynchburg Livestock Market.[1][2]
Fariss married Crystal Dawn Brown. They have three children, Hunter, Bobby and Harrison.[1]
Political career
The 59th district incumbent, independent Watkins Abbitt, Jr., retired in 2011 after 26 years of service. Fariss, the Republican nominee, won a three-way race against Democrat Connie Brennan and independent Linda M. Wall, receiving 52.98% of the vote.[3] Fariss is a social conservative, and supports anti-abortion legislation, as well as anti-LGBT legislation: "As delegate, he will oppose any effort on the state or local level to allow for marriage, partnership benefits, or recognition. Matt will work diligently to ensure that what has happened in New York and elsewhere will never happen in Virginia."[4]
In January, 2016, Fariss was charged with two incidents. These included a misdemeanor breach of peace[5] and a hit and run accident in which property was damaged but no people were hurt.[6]
In October 2019, Fariss potentially violated Virginia campaign finance code by holding a fundraiser via raffle.[7]
Notes
- "Virginia House of Delegates 2012; Delegate C. Matthew Fariss;". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- "Matt Fariss, Delegate". Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
- "On the Issues". Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- Cioffi, Chris. "Del. Fariss charged with hit-and-run; July incident damaged shrubbery, fencing". The News & Advance. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- Rohr, Alex. "Fariss pleads guilty in hit-and-run case". Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- [email protected] (434) 978-7268, TYLER HAMMEL. "Va. Delegate may have violated state code by fundraising via raffle". The Daily Progress. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
External links
- "Delegate Matt Fariss (R-Rustburg)". Richmond Sunlight.
- "Matt Fariss". Virginia Public Access Project.
- "Election Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010.
- "Fariss pleads guilty in hit-and-run case". The Daily Progress.